2017-2019 1.5EB Coolant Leak

97822 Views 144 Replies 50 Participants Last post by Eddy_, 7 mo ago

bobthebacon

Discussion Starter · Dec 12, 2017

Hi everyone,
I have a 2017 Ford Escape Se FWD with the 1.5 Ecoboost. I have arround 20 000km (12500 miles) and it's about 7 months old! A few days ago, I was filling up my windshield washer and notice that the coolant level was under the "low" mark. I didn't have any warning on my dashboard or anything! Today I top it off with some coolant (I added around 2 cups of coolant). I was wondering if any of you had the same problem?

Thanks for your help and have a good day

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TomB985

· #2 · Dec 12, 2017

Hi Bob,

There's a good chance that the low coolant level is caused by air bubbles working their way out of the system. I've had a few new vehicles have coolant levels that dip below the minimum mark after a few thousand miles. Come to think of it, both my Escape and my '15 Transit-350 are both below the cold fill line after sitting overnight.

I'd just keep any eye on it, and if you have to keep adding coolant get it checked out.

Reactions: 3

bobthebacon

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 12, 2017

Thank you

Rocko

· #4 · Dec 15, 2017

Some are having coolant consumption problems. Mine is consuming 2oz every month(1500-2000miles). Going back and forth with dealer now. Cracks in head and casting issues have been an issue. Not sure about your year. Mark the level with tape and check it every month or so, see if it keeps getting worse. Could have been low from factory.

aruek

· #5 · Dec 15, 2017

As far as I know 1.5EB does not suffers about the know 1.6EB coolant issues. It might be a simple fix.

Enviado desde mi Nexus 5X mediante Tapatalk

bobthebacon

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 15, 2017

Thank you everyone for taking the time to reply. I have a appointment at my Ford dealership next week! Will keep you posted!

workoutman1

· #7 · Dec 15, 2017

I had a oil change done today and they told me my coolant was low. I live in AZ for all that is worth.

bobthebacon

Discussion Starter · #8 · Dec 21, 2017

So just got back from the dealer today and they said that everything was normal. No leaks or anything! Will continue to monitor the coolant level and we'll see

Reactions: 1

H34JO

· #9 · Jan 2, 2018

bobthebacon said:
So just got back from the dealer today and they said that everything was normal. No leaks or anything! Will continue to monitor the coolant level and we'll see

Hi Bob, I have a 2017 Escape and noticed my coolant level is low. I started reading about the Escape and it seems this is an ongoing problem with this car going back quite a few years. Ford's answer is to put a gauge on the dash to monitor the coolant level, but they haven't fixed the main issue.....a new car should not leak coolant. I just witnessed my neighbors escape go up in flames due to this issue. I have an appointment at Ford tomorrow, but I am mad and will get the media involved if I have to. I don't want to drive a car where I have to worry about the car bursting into flames. If you start googling this issue it dates back to at least 2009.
It will be interesting to see what Ford says to you. I think we all have to band together to get something done.

RushMan

· #10 · Jan 2, 2018

TomB985 said:
Hi Bob,

There's a good chance that the low coolant level is caused by air bubbles working their way out of the system. I've had a few new vehicles have coolant levels that dip below the minimum mark after a few thousand miles. Come to think of it, both my Escape and my '15 Transit-350 are both below the cold fill line after sitting overnight.

I'd just keep any eye on it, and if you have to keep adding coolant get it checked out.

Can anyone comment on brands that are safe to use and compatible with Ford's orange coolant?
Had my car at the dealer a week ago for 15K mile service (oil change and tire rotation, and fluid and safety checks) and see that the coolant level is slightly below the Min line. I suspect they didn't do any fluid checks. The VWs and BMW I owned all got fluids topped off during similar scheduled services at the dealers, even including topping of the windshield washer reservoir.

bfunke

· #11 · Jan 2, 2018

GM DexCool or FoMoCo Orange. Both are same

RushMan

· #12 · Jan 2, 2018

bfunke said:
GM DexCool or FoMoCo Orange. Both are same

Thanks! I want to buy from Advance Auto since I have a credit from them for returned halogens I had on the shelf for my previous car, but wasn't sure what to look for before I drive over there. They have several brands of Dex-Cool but not GM or FoMoCo: They have primarily Prestone and CarQuest in stock.

ralph7up

· #13 · Jan 2, 2018

H34JO said:
Hi Bob, I have a 2017 Escape and noticed my coolant level is low. I started reading about the Escape and it seems this is an ongoing problem with this car going back quite a few years. Ford's answer is to put a gauge on the dash to monitor the coolant level, but they haven't fixed the main issue.....a new car should not leak coolant. I just witnessed my neighbors escape go up in flames due to this issue. I have an appointment at Ford tomorrow, but I am mad and will get the media involved if I have to. I don't want to drive a car where I have to worry about the car bursting into flames. If you start googling this issue it dates back to at least 2009.
It will be interesting to see what Ford says to you. I think we all have to band together to get something done.

Hello H34JO,

I am just curious about a couple of things. You state that this is an old issue and has not been corrected by Ford. What is the basis of that statement? The 1.6 and 1.5 are two different engines. Do you have access to data that you have not shared?

You also state that your neighbor's car "bursting into flames" but you failed to provide the year, make and model of your neighbor's car. Could you please provide it so we can be of assistance?

Thanks

Reactions: 1

ralph7up

· #14 · Jan 3, 2018

RushMan said:
Can anyone comment on brands that are safe to use and compatible with Ford's orange coolant?
Had my car at the dealer a week ago for 15K mile service (oil change and tire rotation, and fluid and safety checks) and see that the coolant level is slightly below the Min line. I suspect they didn't do any fluid checks. The VWs and BMW I owned all got fluids topped off during similar scheduled services at the dealers, even including topping of the windshield washer reservoir.

Your Ford dealer should have done this. This is especially true if you specified "the works" which is their term for oil change etc. They even should give you a colorful check sheet that identifies status of all fluids, tire pressure, etc. Here is the one they gave me after my last service. Of course this will not take away the worry of someone just checking things but I like it and use it to discuss the status of my car with the service advisor.

P.S. I am a strong believer in the "trust but verify" concept. Before I leave the dealer or any other location, I will randomly check an item or two. For example, occasionally, I will mark my tires before I specify a tire rotation.

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RushMan

· #15 · Jan 3, 2018

ralph7up said:
Your Ford dealer should have done this. This is especially true if you specified "the works" which is their term for oil change etc. They even should give you a colorful check sheet that identifies status of all fluids, tire pressure, etc. Here is the one they gave me after my last service. Of course this will not take away the worry of someone just checking things but I like it and use it to discuss the status of my car with the service advisor.

I specified "The Works" and even brought the printout from the Ford web site for the Works special ($39.95).
I did not get this multi-color printout you showed, just a black and white multi-page receipt listing the basic services (supposedly) performed.
I'm learning that the neighbors were right: this dealer is bare bones in regards to sales and service. The salesman did very little familiarization on delivery - about 5 minutes. I wasn't concerned about that since I figured on tinkering with the car's controls and reading the owners manual when I got back home, as I usually do with a new car.
The car wasn't prepped at all between the time I test drove the car and when I picked it up several hours later. In fact, they wanted me to take it right away after I signed the papers even though I didn't have the title for my trade-in with me.
I guess I was spoiled by VW and BMW service: coffee and donuts in the waiting area, very detailed cleanup before delivery of a new car. Every service at VW or BMW, the car was vacuumed and washed, or if it couldn't be washed due to inclement weather, I was given a voucher either to come back to the dealer or to use a local car wash.
In contrast, the Ford dealer has a Keurig machine and a tiny microwave in the waiting area, but no coffee, no cups or anything else.
With that said, the car is great, my local dealer is mediocre. I've had 2 oil changes at the dealer and one at the regional tire dealer (Mobil 1). I think I'll stick with the tire dealer for regular maintenance even though they charged more for the oil change. Then again, I had them put in Mobil 1 instead of Synthetic Blend that Ford specifies so not too concerned about the price difference. My old BMW was 125 bucks for an oil change of 8 quarts of full synthetic, 135 at the local shop, so 75 for the Ford seems reasonable.

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ralph7up

· #16 · Jan 3, 2018

RushMan said:
I specified "The Works" and even brought the printout from the Ford web site for the Works special ($39.95).
I did not get this multi-color printout you showed, just a black and white multi-page receipt listing the basic services (supposedly) performed.
I'm learning that the neighbors were right: this dealer is bare bones in regards to sales and service. The salesman did very little familiarization on delivery - about 5 minutes. I wasn't concerned about that since I figured on tinkering with the car's controls and reading the owners manual when I got back home, as I usually do with a new car.
The car wasn't prepped at all between the time I test drove the car and when I picked it up several hours later. In fact, they wanted me to take it right away after I signed the papers even though I didn't have the title for my trade-in with me.
I guess I was spoiled by VW and BMW service: coffee and donuts in the waiting area, very detailed cleanup before delivery of a new car. Every service at VW or BMW, the car was vacuumed and washed, or if it couldn't be washed due to inclement weather, I was given a voucher either to come back to the dealer or to use a local car wash.
In contrast, the Ford dealer has a Keurig machine and a tiny microwave in the waiting area, but no coffee, no cups or anything else.
With that said, the car is great, my local dealer is mediocre. I've had 2 oil changes at the dealer and one at the regional tire dealer (Mobil 1). I think I'll stick with the tire dealer for regular maintenance even though they charged more for the oil change. Then again, I had them put in Mobil 1 instead of Synthetic Blend that Ford specifies so not too concerned about the price difference. My old BMW was 125 bucks for an oil change of 8 quarts of full synthetic, 135 at the local shop, so 75 for the Ford seems reasonable.

Sounds like you have "bad Ford dealer". Depending on where you live, you could always try another as an option to see if you get better service. Whatever works. My trust but verify concept has saved me on an occasion or two.

RushMan

· #17 · Jan 3, 2018

ralph7up said:
Sounds like you have "bad Ford dealer". Depending on where you live, you could always try another as an option to see if you get better service. Whatever works. My trust but verify concept has saved me on an occasion or two.

Getting way OT here, but the next closest Ford dealer is near the BMW and VW dealers which I used to use for service but decided to buy local (Ford and Chevy were closest options) in order to avoid that 22 mile drive and the horrendously dangerous traffic circle (aka roundabout for Europeans). There's another Ford dealer about 30 miles away, not too far from one of my weekly hangouts, so that is an option.
Getting back OT, Advance Auto claimed that the GM Dexcool wasn't compatible with the Ford. They had the FoMoCo coolant in stock at twice the price of the Prestone GM Dexcool.

ralph7up

· #18 · Jan 3, 2018

RushMan said:
Getting way OT here, but the next closest Ford dealer is near the BMW and VW dealers which I used to use for service but decided to buy local (Ford and Chevy were closest options) in order to avoid that 22 mile drive and the horrendously dangerous traffic circle (aka roundabout for Europeans). There's another Ford dealer about 30 miles away, not too far from one of my weekly hangouts, so that is an option.
Getting back OT, Advance Auto claimed that the GM Dexcool wasn't compatible with the Ford. They had the FoMoCo coolant in stock at twice the price of the Prestone GM Dexcool.

For compatability, I would check your manual and see if it provides any guidance. I always try and stay with the OEM spec stuff for fluids. Worse case is that you could buy a gallon from your Ford dealer which would be a bit expensive but you have the safety of knowing it is correct. That is what I did for my 2013.

H34JO

· #19 · Jan 3, 2018

ralph7up said:
Hello H34JO,

I am just curious about a couple of things. You state that this is an old issue and has not been corrected by Ford. What is the basis of that statement? The 1.6 and 1.5 are two different engines. Do you have access to data that you have not shared?

You also state that your neighbor's car "bursting into flames" but you failed to provide the year, make and model of your neighbor's car. Could you please provide it so we can be of assistance?

Thanks

Hello,

I have a 2017 Escape....1.5 eco boost 4 WD. Since my friends escape had this issue,(same year, and model as mine.... I have been researching and have found that this is an ongoing issue. When I contacted Ford I was told my vehicle is not affected, however less than two months later my coolant level is below normal. I just heard back from the dealer today, and as expected was told there isn't a leak. So now, i will monitor it, and if the level is low again soon, will escalate this issue. At just one year old, I don't want to have to drive this vehicle in fear of a major problem. Also....my friend had the vehicle in the shop for the same thing three months prior. She wasn't told to monitor the coolant, and didn't realise the possible repercussions.
The only fix Ford seems to offer.....not to me however...... is to put a gauge on the dash to notify of a low coolant level, however this makes no sense to me as it doesn't explain the disappearing coolant, or correct the inherent problem. I have seen discussions of this issue dating back to 2011 in this vehicle.
I am very frustrated as I sold my beloved Hummer to get a vehicle that would last me a long time.

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TomB985

· #20 · Jan 3, 2018

ralph7up said:
For compatability, I would check your manual and see if it provides any guidance. I always try and stay with the OEM spec stuff for fluids. Worse case is that you could buy a gallon from your Ford dealer which would be a bit expensive but you have the safety of knowing it is correct. That is what I did for my 2013.

Yep, looking at the manual is always good advice. Went through this just last weekend when I topped off my coolant. The standard in the manual is WSS-M97B44-D2.

Not sure about all Dex-Cool compatible formulations, but the Prestone version states that it's compatible with WSS-M97B44-D2. Go take a look at the back of the bottle, they don't list it on the website. I topped mine off with the Prestone stuff.

Prestone DEX-COOL meets or exceeds ASTM D3306 and SAE standards for corrosion protection and meets GMW3420 (GM 6277M), Ford WSS-M97B44-D and property and performance specification requirements of Chrysler MS12106 (MS-7170 & MS-9769)

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